Photo: Members taking part in the QRC run and talk social run
A bumper edition for the back end of the month – Quakers ran in a variety of events including mile, parkrun, road, trail, fell, marathon, Ultra marathon, championship and 10k league races. Lots of members have done really well – there have been PBs, placing in age categories and QRC records broken.
18th April: parkruns – Darlington South Park, Elemore Park and Cyclopark
At Darlington South Park, Marc Ellis finished in 7th place overall in 18:12 and Danny McIntyre finished in 10th place overall, achieving a new PB of 18:29 (shaving 33 seconds off his previous PB in November last year and his 7th parkrun PB since July last year). Rachel Grayson achieved a new PB of 24:30, running 1 minute and 13 seconds quicker than October 25, whilst Sharon Ellis continues to go from strength to strength, knocking another 8 seconds off her PB from last month to finish in 27:41.
Further afield, at Elemore Park, Lou Trainor was 3rd female finisher in 25:47 and at Cyclopark, Rebecca Howard was 1st female finisher in 21:47.
18th April: Goathland V Trigs Challenge
This Silverback event is based in Goathland, set deep within the North York Moors National Park. The event starts and finishes at Goathland Village Hall and takes runners and walkers on a self‑navigated circular route of approximately 37 miles (59 km), visiting five triangulation pillars (trig points) dotted across the moors. The route is beautiful but demanding; it includes ancient trods and medieval tracks, moorland footpaths with rough underfoot conditions, heather, gritstone and peat sections, steep climbs and long rolling hills and exposed ridges with little shelter from wind or weather.
Emily Beaumont completed the event in 11:26.
18th April: It’s Grim Up North – Yorkshire Saunter in Saltaire (various distances)
This event takes runners along a scenic, flat, and gently undulating trail through old railway paths and countryside in Saltaire, combining open fields, woodland, and parklands for an enjoyable off-road experience.
Diane Lockhart completed the 10k in 59:27, followed by Gilly Cowton (1;00), Phil Thornberry (1:03), John Yeomans (1:06) and Adele Brown (1:07). Meanwhile, Brian Cowton completed the 5k in 38:42.
19th April: Swainby Sweep – 7 miles or 16 miles
The Swainby Sweep is a circular trail race set in the heart of the North York Moors, organised by Moors and Dales Races (MaD Races). Both distances start in Swainby village and use marked routes and showcase some of the best moorland running in the area. The routes offer primarily public footpaths and bridleways, small sections on quiet minor roads and a mixture of open moorland, woodland tracks, reservoirs and ridgelines.
The 16 mile route heads out from Swainby towards Cod Beck and Oak Dale Reservoirs, extensive moorland running across Whorlton Moors, sections along the Cleveland Way, a climb up onto Black Hambleton, before returning via Scarth Wood in to the village.
Emily Beaumont completed the route in 2:47, followed by Paul Dalton (2:47) and Brian McLaren (4:05).
The 7 mile route is a shorter loop that includes Scarth Wood Moor, tracks round Oak Dale, moorland uplands towards Osmotherley side and a shorter section of the Cleveland Way. This event is described as ‘beginner‑friendly for trail’, but definitely more demanding than road or towpath races.
Alex Looney completed the event in 1:13 and 3rd in age category) with Graham Looney (1:13 and 3rd in age category) followed by Juliette McLaren (1:14 – awaiting results to be corrected).
19th April: Tempting at Temsey (6.7 miles to Marathon distances available)
This is a Grim Up North trail 3 mile looped event, set entirely within the historic Temple Newsam estate. The course offers wide paths and gravel tracks, grassy parkland, woodland trails, some narrow trail sections through trees and uneven ground in places.
Sandra Cass completed 6.7 miles in 1:06 and 3rd in age category.
19th April: Pier to Pier
The Pier to Pier is one of the most iconic and scenic races in the North East, organised by Sunderland Strollers Running Club. It follows the dramatic coastline from South Shields Pier to Roker Pier in Sunderland. Thee vent consists of a South Shields beach start with around 1 mile of firm sand (tide‑dependent), followed by the Leas clifftop paths, where runners climb off the beach onto coastal trails. Then it is on to Marsden Rock & Souter Lighthouse with exposed clifftop running with sea views and Whitburn beach, rejoining the sand briefly, before final coastal paths and promenade, finishing at Roker Pier.
Zoe Robinson completed the event in 1:05, followed by Chris Bowe in 1:14.
22nd April: Spring Coast Road 5k
This fast and flat race takes place along the sea front at Redcar.
Michael Joyeux completed the race in 16:49, followed by Dave Jones (19:20 and 3rd in age category), Carys Samuel (21:27, PB and 3rd in age category), Lou Trainor (23:33 and 3rd in age category), Rebecca Dodd (23:59 Pb) and Bex Stirland (33:44).
22nd April: Muddy Roads Middridge (almost 5k!)
The first race of the Summer Series, (and a slightly shorter route this time) started at Middridge Village Hall and finished at the Bay Horse Pub; this race has a mix of all terrain and the undulating course challenges runners, providing some scenic views, setting off along a farm track, then hitting a trail path leading to some steps and a good tarmac section. After swirling up a bridge, runners tackle the infamous ‘steps to heaven’ and once up in the top field, it is a mix of gentle inclines and a fast downhill dash to the finish right next to the Bay Horse Pub. These races are very friendly and suitable for those new to trail running.
Marc Ellis finished in 4th place overall and 1st in age category in 17:05, followed by Rob Dent 8th overall, 2nd in age (2/32) in 17:39, John Harrison (22:57), Sue Sparrow (22:58 and 3rd in age category), April Corbett (24:36), Dave Thompson (25:15), Sharon Ellis (26:44), Julie Whinn (28:12) and Anthony Corbett (31:23).
23rd April: Monthly Mile
The monthly mile takes place in Darlington’s South Park; this was the 1st of the series.
Michael Joyeux was first Quaker finisher in 5:18, followed by Dave Jones (5:49), Deborah Berry (6:47 PB), Alex Looney (7:08), Emma Colbourne (7:29 set PB), Paul Roberts (7:30), Rachel Grayson (7:37 set PB), Diane Lockhart (7:50), Caroline Litster (8:03 set PB), Emma Joyeux (8:04 PB) and Sally Singleton (10:58 and achieving club age category record). A special mention for Oliver Joyeux (mini Quaker) who ran in the under 12s category in a cracking time of 6:47.
The next event will take place on 21st May.
25th April: parkruns – Black Combe, Darlington South Park, Elemore Park, Jubilee (Spennymoor), Queen Elizabeth, The Demesnes and Ushaw Historic House
Lots to celebrate this week…
At Black Combe, Chris Neesam was 3rd male in 23:30 and Jo Neesam was 3rd female in 28:32, whilst at Darlington South Park, Michael Joyeux was 2nd finisher overall and 2nd male in 17:00, James Stuart achieved his 8th PB in the last year, shaving 29 seconds off their previous PB from February this year, to finish in 20:13 Dawn Richardson was 2nd female finisher in 21:18 and Nikki Pearce achieved a new PB of 32:12, knocking 29 seconds off their previous PB in December 2025.
At Elemore Park, Paul Dalton was 5th finisher in 22:28; at Jubilee, David Aiken was 4th finisher overall and 3rd male in 20:04 and Rebecca Howard was 8th finisher overall and 2nd female in 21:42. Meanwhile, at Queen Elizabeth, Carys Samuel was 3rd female finisher in 24:16; at The Demesnes, Dave Jones was 8th finisher overall in 20:29 and at Ushaw Historic House, Nick Wadd was 6th finisher overall in 22:18.
25th April: Wild Deer Beyond Newcastle 25km (55km also available)
This scenic looped trail event starts and finishes at the iconic swing bridge on Newcastle Quayside. Entrants run west along the River Tyne, across Scotswood Bridge to the North bank and follow the Tyne to the River Derwent confluence. This is followed by a loop round Derwent Walk Country Park and a return via the Derwent back to the River Tyne and swing bridge. The terrain is a mix of riverside paths, woodland trails, disused railway lines, parks and riverside footpaths with several climbs and descents, though no major hills.
Phil Neal and Simon Mulholland completed the event in 2:27, with Simon achieving 1st in age category.
25th – 26th April: The Fellsman (Fellsman Dart also available)
This is a point-to-point ultramarathon, starting at Ingelton and finishing at Threshfield via a traditional Yorkshire Dales traverse. The event is approximately 61 miles with a staggering 3.3.52m of cumulative ascent, which is serviced by 25 hilltop and roadside checkpoints. Entrants start by climbing Ingleborough with descend to Hill Inn, continuing up Whernside and dropping into Kingsdale. Then ascending Gragareth, on to Great Coum and a drop down to Dent. The route passes Blea Moor, with a summit of Great Knoutberry and across Redshaw. Then it is a climb up Sanizeholme, Dodd Fell and across Fleet Moss Road, then Marsett and Stakemoss to Cray and up Buckden Pike. The route then tops out east of Wharfedale and a final descent to Grassington, cross the Wharfe and finish in Threshfield. This event offers high-level fell and moorland with a mixture of fast grassy trods, stony rocky climbs and descents, expansive trackless moorland and energy sapping bogs, peat hags and tussocks and remote rugged, unforgiving ground.
Tom Chapman completed the event in 22:40.
26th April: Madrid Rock and Roll Half Marathon (10k and Marathon also available)
This event offers a flat, single loop that winds through the city centre and green spaces. It starts at Paseo de la Castellana (near Plaza de San Juan de la Cruz / Gregorio Marañón metro and finishes at Paseo de Recoletos, between Plaza de Cibeles and Plaza de Colón. Highlights include iconic landmarks – Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Cuatro Torres Business Area, Puerta del Sol, Royal Palace, Casa de Campo Park, Madrid Río Park and Prado Museum. Runners
Jeff Marriott completed the event in 2:04.
26th April: London Marathon
The world-famous London Marathon route has remained largely unchanged since the inaugural race in 1981. Starting in the South of Greenwich, the largely flat course heads East before folding back towards the centre of London, encompassing many of the Capital’s most mesmerising landmarks, old and new, finishing in The Mall.
This year, there was a record 59, 830 finishers, setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest number of marathon finishers — overtaking the NYC Marathon’s previous benchmark and a record 1,133,813 ballot applications, making it the most entered marathon ever!
Sebastian Sawe won the men’s race in 1:59:30 becoming the first athlete to break 2 hours in an officially recognised Marathon and Tigst Assefa set a new women-only world record of 2:15:41, defending her title from 2025.
Our QRC members taking part also did extremely well!
Rachel Thomas completed the event in 3:39 PB, followed by Brian Martin (3:58), Dave Thompson (4:35), Gill Colling (5:08), Anthony Corbett (5:23) and Michael Oliver (time TBC)
Closer to home, Cindy Lombaard completed the virtual London Marathon (time TBC).
26th April: Blackpool Festival Marathon (Half Marathon, 10k and 5k also available)
This event is a 2 lap coastal showpiece along Blackpool’s renowned promenade featuring both roadway and walkway sections. It starts at Pleasant Street on the North promenade and finishes at Debry Road. It is flat with minimal undulation, therefore ideal for PB chasers.
Michael Thompson completed the event in 3:53.
26th April: Run Durham Hamsterley Forest – Half Marathon and (10k also available)
These events are made up of woodland paths and beautiful forest trails, with runners rewarded with magnificent views across the forest and North Pennine Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Danny McIntyre finished in 2nd place overall and 2nd in age category in 1:33.
26th April: Washington 10k and (5k also available)
This Trail Outlaws trail event starts and finishes at St Robert of Newminister School on Biddick Lane, Washington. The course winds through James Steel Park, looping along the River Wear. The route offers Woodland trails with natural footpaths, river‑bank routes, likely mixed with gravel and compact earth and some undulating sections, but gentle overall. Runners often spot waterfowl and even otters near Cox Green.
Sue Sparrow completed the event in 56:14 and 1st in age category, followed by Brian McLaren (1:00) and Karen Dove (1:44).
26th April: Ormesby10
This 10k event usually takes place monthly on the last Sunday of the month in the grounds of Ormesby Hall. (Pre-register online then keep your number for the series) The run briefing is held at 8:55am in front of the mansion, with the run starting at 9am.
Lou Trainor was Quaker finisher in 51:31 (1st in age category) followed by Sandra Cass (58:26 and 1st in age category), Darren Alderson (1:01), Diane Lockhart and John Yeomans (1:10), Lisa Quinney (1:11) and Lucy Bendle (1:12).
26th April: Tissington Trail Half Marathon
This event starts at Parsley Hay trailhead and finishes at Ashbourne Leisure Centre, using the Tissington Trail. The out-and-back course gently climbs uphill towards the halfway point at Parsley Hay, then levels and descends slightly on the return, offering a fast finish aided by gravity. It offers scenic views across classic peak district farmland and rolling countryside. Located on a wide and even disused railway lane, the terrain is classified as multi-terrain, undulating, with stronger elevation on the outward leg and a more forgiving return section.
Emma Bland completed the event in 2:10.
26th April: Madrid Marathon (Half marathon and 10k also available)
The marathon starts at Paseo de la Castellana and finishes at Paseo de Recoletos. It is a fully urban point-to-point course that passes the key Madrid landmarks of Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Puerta de Alcalá, Gran Vía, Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and Parque del Retiro.
Melissa Hird completed the event in 5:26.
28th April: Cockfield Chase
Cockfield Chase is designed as a beginners’ fell race, organised by Durham Fell Runners and licensed by the Fell Runners Association (FRA). All runners are welcome (age 14+), whatever their ability or experience, as long as they think you can safely get around the 7km off road route. It’s half race, half social run. The first lap is a group run to see the route – 3.5km, starting at 7pm. The second lap is the race – 3.5km, starting immediately as the first runners finish the first loop. No map is required and runners are shown the route on the night.
Emily Beaumont completed the event in 21:40 and 1st in age category, followed by Diane Lockhart (24:27), Chris Evans (24:57), Emma Bland (25:44 and 3rd in age category) and Graine Duffy (27:36).
30th April: QRC Run and Talk Event
There was a good turn out of members at the QRC Run and Talk Event. Well done to those that attended and for the massive donations of items for St Mary’s Foodbank.
Special mentions:
Congratulations and well done to QRC members that have achieved ‘unofficial’ parkrun milestones over the last fortnight!